MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Wednesday that a judge has declared a Hickory Hill night club a public nuisance and banned the property’s owners from ever operating a night club, sports bar, or similar establishment at the property.  On July 19, the D.A.’s office and the Memphis Police Department secured and padlocked Visions Sports Bar and Grill, also known as “Club Visions,” after filing a public nuisance action against the owners.

After several hours of testimony from witnesses, Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter ruled that “Club Visions,” located at 3684 Ridgeway Road, shall be permanently closed.  While the owners will keep the property, they may never operate a similar business there.

During the trial, which ended late Tuesday evening, witnesses testified that Memphis police officers had been called to “Club Visions” more than 150 times throughout the past 10 months for an overwhelming number of serious and sometimes violent incidents.

Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman called witnesses to prove the following allegations against the club:

• Between September 7, 2009 and July 4, 2010, officers were called to “Club Visions” at least 179 times.  The calls included shootings, stabbings and other types of wounds, robberies and fights.  Officers arrested 73 people at the club for numerous violent and drug-related crimes.
• Memphis Police Department’s undercover unit visited the club on numerous occasions and each time noticed the pervasive odor of marijuana and observed individuals throughout “Club Visions” smoking and preparing marijuana for smoking throughout the club.  Officers observed this activity in front of security and other club personnel.  In all, officers observed at least 166 individuals within the club either smoking or rolling marijuana. On several occasions, undercover officers purchased marijuana from individuals inside the club.
• Undercover officers observed open congregation of apparent gang members on the club’s stage.  This included the displaying of gang “colors.”
• The club hosted a weekly “female boxing” event that is unlicensed despite requirements by the Tennessee Athletic Commission and other relevant agencies. Undercover officers witnessed this event which devolved into a public sexual display with patrons throwing money on the stage, eventually turning into a crowd-involved fight.

“From the moment this public nuisance action was filed, we took the position that ‘Club Visions’ should be permanently closed.  This was one of the most blatant public nuisance cases we have ever handled.  We are very pleased with the judge’s decision, but more importantly, the nearby business owners and residents in that neighborhood can feel a sense of security now that the club is closed permanently,” said District Attorney Bill Gibbons.

Tennessee law states that the District Attorney General has authority to bring a civil action against any establishment deemed a nuisance.  The statute defines a nuisance, in part, as any place in or upon which “unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or other controlled substance…quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting, or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”

The D.A.’s Office, working with investigations by the Memphis Police Department and as part of Operation Blue CRUSH™, has filed nuisance petitions against the owners of more than 200 properties, both residential and businesses.  Some nuisance actions have resulted in permanent closure of the properties.  Others have reopened under consent orders to alleviate the nuisance.